Fairwind Yacht Club Hosts Youth Sailing Program

American Sailing Association instructor David Lumian travels the world to teach sailing instructors and certify schools. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 2011 appointed him to the Small Craft Harbor Commission.

Several years ago, in a discussion with LA County Supervisor Don Knabe about Fairwind Yacht Club, where Lumian has been a long time member, Knabe asked Lumian what the organization was doing for local kids.

Lumian recognized that outreach was a good idea.

“I saw it as a wonderful way to teach life skills, particularly critical thinking,” he told me.

Lumian began to sail when he was 8 years old, so that age seemed appropriate to begin. He and the yacht club began to work with in Venice. Lumian wanted to teach students there because some of them were poor.

“We started small, just one day a week,” Lumian said.

As the program expanded, Lumian saw greater potential with the that worked closely with students at the elementary school. The Boys and Girls Clubs were founded to get city kids involved in wholesome activities that entice them away from the lure of gangs and crime.

Lumian approached the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Lt. Mario Barone, the harbor master, signed on as a supporter and donated boats to the effort.

“Today, the program is now in its sixth year. Although it runs year round, during the summer it has expanded to a six-week sailing day camp, with shifts twice a day. It's now open to multiple Boys and Girls Clubs,” Lumian said.

In the Fast and Fun program, boys and girls learn basic such as tacking, jibing, recovering from a capsize, trimming sails and tying knots. In short order club members learn how to master the seamanship needed to handle 22-foot keel boats donated by the LA County’s Sheriff’s Department.

Sailing is a great way to gain self confidence and survival skills while teaching teamwork and communication. It also gives people a healthy touch of humility in the face of nature.

For more about the program contact the Boys and Girls Club of Venice at (310) 390-4477, ext. 234.